Gazania plant

ABSTRACT

A novel Gazania seedling distinguished by its two distinctly different leaf patterns and distinctively rayed flowers. Petals are patterned with basal rings of, first, Gargoyle, followed by a second ring of Ivy Green. On elongated central stripe of Zanzibar extends from the second ring and fades progressively toward the tip into Cadnium Yellow which defines substantially the entire petal margin.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Gazaniaplant, which I choose to name Royal Tiger. This new and distinct varietyof Gazania plant is characterized by its unique flower and varying leafshapes.

The new variety was discovered as a seedling at my growing grounds,located in Lakeside, Calif., in a cultivated row of Super Fiesta Gazania(an unpatented new variety which has an orange flower with black andorange rayed stripes).

Asexual reproduction of the new variety has been accomplished by takingcuttings. Numerous cuttings have been made at my Lakeside, Calif.growing grounds and all of the resulting plants have exhibited theabove-mentioned distinguishing characteristics which have beentransmitted through succeeding propagations, thereby establishing thatthe strain is true.

The accompanying photographs in full color show the flower and foliageof the new and distinct variety of Gazania plant. These colorphotographs are as correct as it is possible to reproduce thecolor ofthe flower and foliage.

A detailed description of the new and distinct variety follows. Tofacilitate identification of the important colors referred to in thisspecification, the color terminology adopted by the Dictionary of Colorby Maerz and Paul has been adopted.

THE PLANT

Form: Ground cover type plant that is best described as trailing.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Abundant.

Shape.--There are two distinct shapes of leaves. Both leaves have a2"-21/2" linear base. The tip of one type is oblanceolate with apexacute, whereas the other type is parted near the tip with 2-5partitions.

Size.--Full grown leaves are 5"-61/2" in length with theoblanceolate-acute shaped leaves varying from 5/16"-3/8" at the widestportion, and the parted shaped leaves varying from 7/8"-11/8" at thewidest portion.

Ribs and veins.--The veins are not prominent on either side of the leaf,while the central rib is very prominent on the underside of the leaf,and terminates at the apex as a sharp line.

Texture.--The leaves are thick and have a sericeous covering top andbottom.

Color.13 The upper side of the leaf is Aspen Green^(T) plate 31/C6. Theunder side of the leaf is dull White plate 9/A1, with the central ribbeing a dull Green plate 22/H4.

Leaf margins.--Half of the leaves have margins that are entire, and theother half are parted near the tip.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: The new variety seems to bloom throughout the year inSouthern California.

Buds:

Size.--Most buds are from 9/16"-5/8" in diameter.

Form.--Buds are campanulate in shape, from whicha pointed tip emerges.

Flower:

Size.--The size of the bloom varies from 2"-23/8" in diameter.

Form.--The overall flower shape is round and flattened, with the petalsbeing ligulate in shape. A typical flower has 21 petals.

Borne.--Flowers are borne singly on a stem that can be up to 91/2" inlength.

Color.--The flower is bright Cadnium Yellow^(P) plate 9/L8 withZanzibar^(T) plate 8/L5 rayed stripes which start at the base of thepetals and fade to Cadnium Yellow^(P) as they approach the tip. Theflower has two basal rings; the inner ring is Gargoyle^(T) plate 16/C1and the outer ring is Ivy Green plate 16/L9. As the flower ages, itsoriginal color fades.

Petal shape.--The petals are attenuate-obtuse in shape and curl to anacuminate-like tip with age. The petals are 1"-13/8" in length and areabout 3/8" at the widest portion.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Gazania plant substantially asherein described, characterized particularly as to novelty by its uniqueflower and varying leaf form.